Advertisement
Advertisement
stickleback
[ stik-uhl-bak ]
noun
- any of the small, pugnacious, spiny-backed fishes of the family Gasterosteidae, inhabiting northern fresh waters and sea inlets, the male of which builds and guards the nest.
stickleback
/ ˈstɪkəlˌbæk /
noun
- any small teleost fish of the family Gasterosteidae, such as Gasterosteus aculeatus ( three-spined stickleback ) of rivers and coastal regions and G. pungitius ( ten-spined stickleback ) confined to rivers. They have a series of spines along the back and occur in cold and temperate northern regions
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of stickleback1
1400–50; late Middle English stykylbak, equivalent to Old English sticol scaly + bæc back 1
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of stickleback1
C15: from Old English stickel prick, sting + back 1
Discover More
Example Sentences
Gudgeon eats stickleback, jack-pike eats gudgeon and grows fat, till at last the sturgeon in his armour eats him.
From Project Gutenberg
"Canova was by no means equal to Stickleback," said Mr Bristles magisterially.
From Project Gutenberg
When our other friends leave me, Stickleback, I hope you will stay for half an hour.
From Project Gutenberg
The rest of the party soon retired; and Bristles and Stickleback began their confidential conclave.
From Project Gutenberg
The Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), too, has undoubtedly come to us from the north.
From Project Gutenberg
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse